1. What is the Power Formula?

The power formula (P = V × I × PF) calculates electrical power in AC circuits, taking into account voltage, current, and power factor. It's fundamental in electrical engineering and power systems analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula accounts for both the magnitude of voltage and current, as well as the phase difference between them in AC circuits through the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for circuit design, electrical system sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and determining electrical load capacity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). For DC circuits or purely resistive AC loads, use PF = 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing the phase difference between voltage and current in AC circuits.

Q2: What's the difference between real, apparent, and reactive power?
A: Real power (P) does actual work, apparent power (S) is V×I, and reactive power (Q) is the non-working power. P = S × PF.

Q3: When should I use PF less than 1?
A: For AC circuits with inductive or capacitive loads (motors, transformers, etc.). For DC or purely resistive AC circuits, PF = 1.

Q4: How does power factor affect electrical systems?
A: Low PF increases current for the same real power, causing larger equipment sizes and higher losses in distribution systems.

Q5: How can I improve power factor?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to offset inductive loads and bring PF closer to 1.